The Italian RenaissanceC. 1400-1600

Italy At This Time c.1400

Italy was not one large nation

Instead, it was a collection of smaller city-states

much like Ancient Greece & Rome

Check out the map to the right to see what I

mean

Renaissance lawyers looked to those civilizations

for models of how independent city-states should

be governed

This renewed interest in the classical world

opened Italy up to the exploration of Greek &

Roman philosophy, art & science

Italy At This Time c.1400

Life in Renaissance Italy

Class System

Aristocracy (Members of Nobility Ruled Most City-States

Merchants (Often the Richest Class Due to the Vastness of Trade – Rulers in Florence & Genoa)

Artisans & Artists (Skilled Craftsmen)

Town Laborers (Unskilled, Grunt Workers)

Country Peasants (Sharecroppers)

Slaves (Mostly Females from Mongolia, Russia & Turkey – Domestic Helpers)

Fabrics used for Clothing

Silk, Wool, Cotton & Linen

Lots of variety

Men of the Italian Renaissance c. 1500

Doublets

Very popular

Varied in lengths

Jackets

Simple garment

Long-sleeved & belted at the waist

Hose

Leg coverings

Either Stitched together as one piece

Tied up to doublet as before

Exaggerated, Large Codpieces

Became universally adopted

Most likely to cover embarrassing stains

from Syphilis medication

Shirts

White linen

Slashing

Decorative slits cut into garment through

which the undershirt is pulled through in

puffs

SKETCH THESE EXAMPLES ON THE BACK

OF YOUR INDEX CARD

1. Doublet 2. Slashing 3. Slashed Doublet

Women of the Italian Renaissance c. 1500

Bodices

Became more rigid like those of Spain at this time

Necklines were mostly square, wide & low

Sleeves widened; Puffed at top/fitted from above the elbow to the wrist

Waistlines changed from straight lines to more of a V-shape due to further influences from Spanish fashions

Shirts

White linen

Cut high, to show above the neckline of gowns

Often embroidered & had small neckline ruffle

Slashing

Also popular with women

Used to decorate bodices

Hair

Wore “token” head cover

Jeweled nets set at the back of the head

Or sheer, small veils

Loose curls to either side of face with a bun, long braid or more elaborate arrangements in back

Headdress

Turbans became very popular

This Turkish style was adopted due to trade with the Turks of the Ottoman Empire

Ferroniere was a chain or band of metal/pearls worn across the forehead

Had a jeweled decoration at the center of the forehead

SKETCH THESE EXAMPLES ON THE BACK

OF YOUR INDEX CARD 1. Bodice, Shirt & Turban 2. Bodice, Shirt, Turban &

Slashed Fur Sleeves